A HUSBAND believes his murdered wife may have been killed for the love of her dog.

Middle-aged mum Julia Webb was bludgeoned to death exactly two years ago as she walked her labrador, Rosie, at a beauty spot near her Cheshire home. Despite a massive hunt and the offer of a £30,000 reward her killer has never been found.

Fighting back tears, her husband, John, 60, said today: "She was very placid, not someone who would get involved in a confrontation. I can only think whatever happened had something to do with Rosie. The dog is very friendly by nature, but also very inquisitive. It is possible she was sniffing around someone, perhaps startled them and they hit out at her.

"In those circumstances Julia would probably have come to her aid and got involved. I can't think of any other reason why."

Mrs Webb, 52, was attacked in woods off Kennel Lane, Sandiway, near Northwich. When she didn't return home to nearby Weaverham Road, her son, Christopher, went looking for her on his bike. He spotted Rosie, who led him to his mother's body just off the track. She had died from head injuries.

This week, on the second anniversary of the killing, detectives are leafletting all 3,500 homes in the area, hoping to get some fresh information. They have still to trace two men seen in the area at the time. One was an older man with a red walking stick and the other a 'George Michael' lookalike with designer stubble who was driving a silver Ford Orion.

Police believe there is a strong possibility the murderer has local connections and suspect someone may be harbouring them through a misguided sense of loyalty. Det Chief Insp Peter Rigby, who has led the inquiry since July 1998, said: "We have stayed close to the people who live in the immediate area and the feeling among them is that it could be someone local."

Information can be passed to Northwich police on 01606 48000 or the confidential Crimestoppers line, 0800 555111.